A couple of thousand years ago, the makers of Kimchi (a Korean pickled cabbage side dish), long before the advent of SARS and swine flu, would never have imagined that their staple food could prevent and possibly cure these viral infections.
In April 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) upgraded the pandemic influenza status to phase four warning.
What is the difference between the annual flu season and being infected with influenza A (H1N1)? According to the World Health Organization:
“Influenza A(H1N1) is a new virus and to which most people have little or no immunity, and therefore this virus could cause more infections than are seen with seasonal influenza. Novel influenza A(H1N1) appears to be as contagious as seasonal influenza, and is spreading rapidly particularly among the young (10 to 45 years of age).Illness severity ranges from very mild symptoms to severe illness that can result in death “Most people who contract the virus experience milder symptoms of illness and recover without antiviral treatment or medical care. Of the more severe cases, more than half of those hospitalized had underlying health problems or weak immune systems.” . [1]
“If there is any place in the world that has taken a beating from SARS, it was Hong Kong,” says Peter Cordingley, a spokesman for the World Health Organization (WHO) in Manila. “The lesson was learned.” Building on the past, Hong Kong has already issued travel advisories and increased screening at airports, including the use of infrared temperature scanners and the detention of travelers arriving with flu-like symptoms. [2]
The countries and overseas territories/communities that reported their first confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009 case(s) since the last web update (July 6, 2009) as of July 22, 2009:
Afghanistan, Andorra, Belize, Bhutan, Botswana, Reunion (French Overseas Community), Haiti, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Namibia, Saint Eustatius (Netherlands Antilles), Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles , Solomon Islands, Sudan, Tonga, Turks and Caicos Islands (UK Overseas Territory), United Republic of Tanzania, American Samoa (US), Guam (US)
As of July 22, 2009, the overall total of deaths attributed to swine flu is 1,154. For updated information on reported cases, visit the WHO Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 site listed at the end of this article. The link below to a Google map shows the areas of the swine flu outbreak and provides a precise geographic picture of the outbreaks of infection.
How is it treated?
For suspected cases of the virus, a 5-day course of zanamivir alone or a combination of oseltamivir and amantadine or rimantadine is started. For confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) may be given. [3]
Will a mask protect me from being infected?
We have very limited information on the effectiveness of masks and respirators to combat and control influenza. If used correctly, masks and respirators can help reduce the risk of getting the flu, but they should be used in conjunction with other preventive measures, such as avoiding close contact and practicing good hand hygiene.
“Unless otherwise specified, “respirator” refers to an N95 or higher filtering facepiece respirator certified by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in respiratory infection studies; however, for For practical purposes, this distance can vary up to 6 feet. [3]
Any forecast for the future?
About 90-95% of infected people recover despite severe symptoms including a temperature over 100 degrees. headaches, extreme fatigue, chills, diarrhea, sore throat, muscle pain, basically all the common symptoms of the flu.
To date, caution should be exercised as the swine flu (H1N1) is still spreading and may become a pandemic affecting entire regions or countries. Annual flu outbreaks are expected and predictable. However, this outbreak has not followed the usual patterns of the flu. The speculated future forecast is divided between those who believe that the swine flu (H1N1) will subside and disappear this summer of 2009 and those who believe that it will return to claim more cases similar to the 1918 flu pandemic.
So what is this potential wonder drug on the Korean table?
Since 2003, when SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) arrived in Asia, Koreans have been largely unaffected. Being the daily and national side dish that it is, kimchi was promoted to the status of a preventative and natural cure for SARS with virtually no scientific evidence to back up the claim. Trust me, as someone who eats kimchi daily and loves it so much, I run a site dedicated to kimchi and Korean cuisine. I welcome and listen to suggestions, and hope that more scientific research will validate such claims. Imagine being obsessed with a food that suddenly finds itself saving lives in the face of a deadly new health threat.
Scientists at Seoul National University fed kimchi extract to thirteen chickens infected with bird flu. A week later, eleven of the thirteen chickens apparently recovered. To date, such studies remain unpublished and certainly not recognized by any medical or scientific community. Professor Kang of Seoul National University, who observed the thirteen chickens, stated that the leuconostoc (lactic acid bacteria) found in kimchi had a positive effect on bird flu.
Hong Jong Hoon, a technical consultant at the Korea Agricultural Development Institute, suggested that another possible connecting factor is the way Koreans eat most of their garlic.
Hong began his research studies on the website of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, where he found a connection between SARS and the corona virus. She then turned to the Stanford University site, which lists, in addition to reducing stress, getting more sleep and frequent hand washing, putting drops of garlic juice into the nostrils as a way to fight infection. Put it all together, she says, and you’ll see why South Korea has had only a handful of suspected SARS cases and no deaths, despite its proximity to China, where the virus originated, and to Hong Kong and Taiwan. Hong admits that many other countries make extensive use of garlic in their diets, including Italy and China. But they cook their garlic; Koreans eat theirs raw in kimchi. His theory may be hard to prove, but that doesn’t mean it’s not true, he says. [4]
Park Yong Woo, a family medicine doctor at Samsung Hospital in Seoul, welcomes the necessary clinical trials and says he is convinced of its healing properties.
“I’d like to compare it to an orchestra,” says Park. “It’s made from cabbage. But there are a lot of healthy components inside, including garlic, ginger and chili peppers. It’s a very harmonious food.”
Kim Man Jo, a food industry consultant and author of several books, including Kimchi, Kimchi, believes that Kimchi’s healing or control properties against some infectious diseases are created and found in the fermentation process: “They haven’t yet done experiments, but harmful diseases can be dominated by lactobacilli”. she says.
Depending on the variety, I know the most common nappa cabbage kimchi variety has a strong combination of cabbage, red chili powder, fish sauce, lots of garlic, salt, green onions, daikon radish, sugar, and yes, even more garlic. . all fermented to perfection to deliver the heavenly flavor and strongest antimicrobial punch. Despite the lack of research on swine flu and kimchi as a preventative or cure, research has found that these friendly bacteria boost the immune system. Further research has shown that live, indigenous bacteria and the chemicals they produce can penetrate the intestinal wall and stimulate the growth and maintenance of immune cells. Lactobacillus strains can also stimulate defense cells and increase antiviral chemicals like interferon.
To date, we have a specific medical treatment and course of action despite not having a vaccine. While I’m excited to discover that kimchi may possess fighting properties against certain viral strains, until the claims are put through the “scientific method,” it will remain a folk home remedy alongside chicken soup. Despite the lack of evidence, if a pandemic condition were to sweep through the area I live in, I would certainly heed Western medical approaches and, more importantly, double down on my kimchi consumption. Do we tell each his own?
With the unfortunate number of people who have died from SARS or swine flu (swine flu killed over 1100 victims worldwide as of July 2009 and over 700 claimed by SARS), perhaps it is need a pandemic and desperate condition to even consider researching these currently. unfounded beliefs and claims. Today, at least 168 countries and territories have reported confirmed cases of swine flu.
Ever since I first ate kimchi in 1990, it remains a favorite daily side dish that I always look forward to. Whether or not it cures anything, it certainly makes my taste buds and overall system feel great. I can’t sit down to dinner at home or a Korean restaurant without it.
While these flu strains come and go or stay, those who enjoy eating kimchi (touted as one of the world’s five healthiest foods by Health magazine) continue to get more than their fair share of nature’s probiotics that may one day add new flu strains to a long list of combated enemies.
Meanwhile, for various strains of flu we have existing vaccines and for those we don’t have or other bugs still around like the common cold, we have old but very effective Gatorade, chicken soup and break.
[1] TIME – The Lessons of SARS – By Kayla Webley/Hong Kong – Monday, April 27, 2009
[2] What is novel influenza A(H1N1)? From the World Health Organization
[3] Swine flu – Medicine.net
[4] The Daily Press.com – Hoping for a cure in kimchi – By Mark Magnier *Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 *Google map showing swine flu outbreaks
